Incoming CSAC president Susan Ellenberg urges counties to prioritize prevention and children's well-being

Susan Ellenberg, the incoming president of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), urged county leaders to make prevention and children’s well-being central priorities in her opening address to the association.

Ellenberg opened her remarks with a local anecdote — noting the sixtieth anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s first San Jose show — before turning to policy. She framed counties as frontline service providers that “care for the most vulnerable,” listing core county responsibilities such as food, health care, housing, water and public safety. “Wouldn't it be transformational, wonderfully so, if counties could focus on prevention rather than alleviation of harm?” she said.

Ellenberg said her own life experience, including treatment for depression, shaped her commitment to public service. She described early-care and family supports — stable housing, nutrition, affordable child care and access to health care for the “0 to 5 set” — as investments that reduce later, more costly interventions.

CSAC, Ellenberg said, should bring the voices of California’s 58 counties into policy and funding conversations at every table. “58 counties, 1 voice,” she said, promising to spend her year visiting counties across the state to learn about local challenges and successes and to listen before acting.

She cited lessons learned from colleagues: Los Angeles County Supervisor Catherine Barger’s response to the Palisades fire and Supervisor Holly Mitchell’s advocacy for relief funds; the role of water in community safety as highlighted by Supervisor Buddy Mendez; rural livestock conflicts raised by Supervisor Ned Coe; and former Supervisor Aaron Hannigan Andrews’ work on funding for services for children ages 0 to 5.

Ellenberg thanked CSAC staff and her team from Santa Clara County, including chief of staff Myra Flores, and closed by acknowledging family members in the audience. An unidentified emcee then invited applause for “president Susan Ellenberg.”

The remarks set a public agenda for Ellenberg’s term focused on county-level prevention strategies and attention to children’s early needs, and signal that CSAC will pursue a listening-first approach as it advocates on state and federal funding matters.